At this akhada, girls are slowly making their presence felt

Summary: And it's Sakshi Malik, all fire and heart on that mat in Rio, whose deeds would have subconsciously inspired these girls.
It's a festive occasion that, this year, might be even more celebratory, all for the presence of the girl grapplers.
"Covering two acres, pastoral Pavanputra has come up amid the tower blocks that are rising from the dust and scrub of the city's new sectors.
"Where once they might have found it awkward to openly indulge in wrestling, now that awkwardness is no longer there.
Bouts are held four times every week, twice on mats and twice in the dirt.

Gurgaon: An akhada on the outskirts of the city is testament to the fact that the best of tradition can blend harmoniously with the new, that custom need not necessarily be diluted in the path of progress.Following Sakshi Malik's medal-winning performance at the Rio Olympics last year, more girls have become inspired to pick up this age-old sport. And from the second half of 2016, seven lasses have been training at Pavanputra akhada, in the village of Daulatabad, the first girls here to be initiated into 'kushti', a discipline that hasn't abandoned its earthy origins.Aditi, Shweta, Poonam, Divya, Ritika, Drishti and Srishti all have the enthusiasm of youth. This is their time to experience the robust joys of grappling (while learning the ropes).

At seven years, Ritika and Drishti are the youngest. The rest are not much older, not more than 11 years. And it's Sakshi Malik, all fire and heart on that mat in Rio, whose deeds would have subconsciously inspired these girls."Sakshi's success definitely encouraged them, demonstrated to them that they too can get ahead, just as she has done," shared Satyadev, 51, who oversees the akhada with an avuncular devotion (being a lecturer at a government school in Gadoli village, he also goes by the title 'masterji')."Where once they might have found it awkward to openly indulge in wrestling, now that awkwardness is no longer there."Covering two acres, pastoral Pavanputra has come up amid the tower blocks that are rising from the dust and scrub of the city's new sectors.